The 'This Is Us' Cast Understands Your Tears

I don't know about you, but I'm a super emotional person. I cry at just about everything — from TV commercials to free samples of ice cream at the mall (I was having a bad day, OK?). So suffice to say, I've sufficiently bawled my eyes out at all of the most heartbreaking scenes from This Is Us. In fact, I'm surprised I have any tears left. In a new video interview with Variety, however, the cast of This Is Us discusses their emotional scenes, and why it's actually a good thing that all of us are crying so much while watching the show.

In the video, which you can watch via Variety's article, the cast talks about the various ways that This Is Us has changed their lives. Ultimately, the conversation seems to come back to the same point: This Is Us is having a profound, emotional effect on viewers, which in turn is impacting the lives of the cast.

While Justin Hartley, who plays Kevin, reveals that "women come up ... and thank [us] for making them cry," Sterling K. Brown, who plays Randall, divulges the profound moment that a fan thanked him for saving his brother's life. Brown recalled, "We hugged it out, and he went about his business. It’s having a profound effect on people." And it's easy to understand why; This Is Us provides a positive way for viewers to comfortably engage with their own personal issues and enjoy a cathartic, healthy cry while they do so.

As a show, This Is Us is unafraid to tackle a wide range of subjects in an honest and tactile manner. Within this first, groundbreaking season, the difficult issues that This Is Us has dealt with have included losing an infant during childbirth, racial and sexual politics, obesity, anxiety, addiction, cancer, and mourning the loss of a parent. And it's done so with an inclusive approach that feels human and relatable. So, is it really any wonder we're all sobbing every week?

Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore, who play Jack and Rebecca, shared their own ideas about how the show is having an effect on audiences during the Variety video. While Ventimiglia explains how good it feels to know his work is "imparting a positive impact on a television viewer," Moore goes one further and precisely sums up the shows unique, feel good appeal calling it "hopeful television in this day and age."

They both completely nail the power of This Is Us. Though it can be an incredibly emotional show, it's ability to touch people isn't done in a cynical or exploitative manner. The sincere manner with which it harnesses sentimental subject matter is deeply refreshing and actually invigorating. The way it deals with specific issues is done in such a positive manner that it likely provides strength and hope to any viewer at home dealing with their own dilemmas.

Overall, the show provides a viewing experience which feels as much like a safe space as it does entertainment, and that feels crucial during a time when so many people are clearly hurting, worried for their futures or the future of their loved ones.

Shows like This Is Us provide a vital outlet for letting viewers wring some tears out of whatever hardship is dragging their life at any one moment, and that's supremely important for people to have the opportunity to do. And ultimately, what the show proves is that no matter how bad you may feel, tears can sometimes be a positive experience.

So, cry it out, ladies and gentlemen, because the This Is Us cast totally gets it.